Uses for a Linux-based home server (other than recording and streaming).

[Whiffle]

After literally months of messing around with my server, trying to get WOL and resume from sleep mode working, I have decided to give up and just leave my server on 24/7.

I run Openmediavault and am using the server to record TV (via TVHeadend) and serve media and files to various clients on my home network.

Given that the server is going to spend more than 50% of its time doing nothing, I was wondering what other uses I could use if for.

Any suggestions for inspiration would be appreciated.

 

[Whiffle]

The thing about servers is that they tend to do very little when they're not serving files! It doesn't feel right... However, once you get over that itchiness that your server should be doing something then you'll be fine

You have hit the nail on the head - it is making me uncomfortable, knowing that it is just sitting there all day doing nothing.

I have had to try and find some reasons to justify, in my mind, advantages of the PC always being ready to go. One thing that I had overlooked was the fact that with sleep mode, all the hard drives spin up after resuming. With the server always on, only hard drives that are actually needed get spun up.

You guys have given me some great ideas, now - had to Google a few as I had not even heard of some of the programs.

I am definitely going to start with having a look at home automation - Domoticz was recommended above, which is perfect as OMV has a plugin for that. Might even consider some CCTV as well.

get_iplayer is also something that I had never come across but will definitely check out.

Sorry it this is stupid question, but what is a docker? I have just been looking it up but seem none the wiser.

 

[Whiffle]

Thank you - so, in an ideal world, should I install Openmediavault and then install all the extra progams via docker instead (Emby, TVHeadend, Domoticz)?